I’m inclined to say that model could never have predicted that, but the system clearly needs a lot more refinement. Part of the problem is that the ratings were based on a few individuals, instead of a broad base survey. I’ll rerun the numbers when those numbers become available.

Still, just a shocking result. Without having seen the show, I can’t believe it.

How many times has the Idol singing last in the finals ever been eliminated? The somewhat surprising answer is that it has happened only once (and a half). It has never happened before the top 7 in any given season.

First, the exceptions to the rule. Siobahn Magnus was eliminated in the Final 6 of American Idol season 9, with a way-out-of-her-comfort-zone rendition of Shania Twain’s “Any Man Of Mine”. It scored a 43 on WhatNotToSing, an Idol ratings aggregator, the third worst score of that episode; but as a woman she had a built-in disadvantage, and a terrible performance by Lee DeWyze was given a pass by the voting public. In this case, even going last could not save Siobahn from going home. Continue reading